"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
is it so wrong if i don't pay my rent?
no responsibility, i gave it up for lent
sell your wares, pollute the air, i don't care
fresh air's for squares
now if it were up to me, the piper would be up the creek
and the fiddler too, cuz neither one of you would be payed
i need the cash for getting laid
and i don't mind to seem unusually unkind
you ask what kind of guy am i?
i'm the friend to the irresponsible fools who don't have time for rules
the irresponsible who wouldn't be caught dead in a school
i'm irresponsible, i'm mr. irresponsible
i'm irresponsible, and i don't care if the whole world burns
i live my life without a care
i don't have time to be politically aware
i hate to have to think, i hate feeling too
i'll leave those chores to some pathetic sap like you
don't talk to me about the dolphin in the tuna net
i'm on the tuna's side
hey, dolphin tastes quite good, i bet
i'd never lie, my hair requires aerosol
i want it ten feet tall, and i don't care about the hole in the sky
if rogue don't mind, why should i?
it just so happens i'm that kind of guy
i'm the friend to the irresponsible fools who don't have time for rules
the irresponsible who wouldn't be caught dead in a school
i'm irresponsible, i'm mr. irresponsible
i'm irresponsible, and i don't care if the whole world burns
let it burn
it's a bloody miracle that i haven't gotten distracted by a skirt, and got bored and just walked away before the end of this god-forsaken tune
no responsibility, i gave it up for lent
sell your wares, pollute the air, i don't care
fresh air's for squares
now if it were up to me, the piper would be up the creek
and the fiddler too, cuz neither one of you would be payed
i need the cash for getting laid
and i don't mind to seem unusually unkind
you ask what kind of guy am i?
i'm the friend to the irresponsible fools who don't have time for rules
the irresponsible who wouldn't be caught dead in a school
i'm irresponsible, i'm mr. irresponsible
i'm irresponsible, and i don't care if the whole world burns
i live my life without a care
i don't have time to be politically aware
i hate to have to think, i hate feeling too
i'll leave those chores to some pathetic sap like you
don't talk to me about the dolphin in the tuna net
i'm on the tuna's side
hey, dolphin tastes quite good, i bet
i'd never lie, my hair requires aerosol
i want it ten feet tall, and i don't care about the hole in the sky
if rogue don't mind, why should i?
it just so happens i'm that kind of guy
i'm the friend to the irresponsible fools who don't have time for rules
the irresponsible who wouldn't be caught dead in a school
i'm irresponsible, i'm mr. irresponsible
i'm irresponsible, and i don't care if the whole world burns
let it burn
it's a bloody miracle that i haven't gotten distracted by a skirt, and got bored and just walked away before the end of this god-forsaken tune
Lyrics submitted by faust
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
hm... (looks over lyrics again) this may take me a bit to figure out. I'll hand it over to the cryptology department and get back to you.
Seriously though, pretty straightforward and very catchy as well.
"If Rogue don't mind, why should I?"
Refers to Rogue, the vocalist of The Cruxshadows. To help you understand: revival.stormshadow.com/leeds/2003-07-19-black-veil-live/157-rogue.jpg
Ok.... that pic was really really hilarious.... and illustrative, TNkS by the info!
@.Kitten. LOL thank you, I was like... what does Rogue from X-Men have to do with this lol
"i want it ten feet tall, and i don't care about the hole in the sky if rogue don't mind, why should i? it just so happens i'm that kind of guy"
I liked this song better when I thought he was saying Rove (as in karl rove) Not rouge much funnier that way i think